The opening of the E. & I. Krahn Heliport at the Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) will allow Manitobans living or travelling through the Pembina Valley region to access specialized critical care more quickly during a medical emergency, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.

The construction of the new heliport replaces a temporary landing zone at the BTHC and will provide STARS with a safe helicopter landing pad, certified by Transport Canada. It provides a permanent place at BTHC for STARS helicopters to transfer critically ill or injured patients for tertiary care.

“When a person is in medical distress, minutes count and the ability to access timely emergency care can often make the difference between life and death,” said Friesen, the MLA for Morden-Winkler. “We know how important air ambulance service has been for many families. By making this enhancement, Boundary Trails will be able to more effectively facilitate the timely transfer of patients when it matters most.”

The BTHC Foundation received a generous donation from the family of Irene and the late Ed Krahn to make this dream a reality.

“As a Foundation, we are pleased to be able to support and facilitate the funding of such a worthwhile project,” said Grant Thiessen, Chair of the BTHC Foundation’s Board of Directors. “STARS trips to and from BTHC have become more and more commonplace. It’s exciting to be involved in providing a heliport to the region because it will help save lives for patients needing timely emergency care when every second counts.”

“Knowing that help is on the way makes a difference for people during an emergency,” said Jane Curtis, CEO of Southern Health-Santé Sud. “This heliport will provide specialized air ambulance medical teams with a permanent place for helicopters to land and safely transfer critically ill and injured patients during a medical emergency. The life-saving legacy of this heliport will make a lasting difference for people in communities of the surrounding area.”

STARS has been dispatched for 30 inter-facility transfers from BTHC so far this year. The new heliport will improve the level of care critically ill and injured patients receive, said Grant Therrien, STARS Provincial Director of Manitoba operations.

“The opening of a Transport Canada approved heliport ensures that we can continue landing at the facility for years to come, which is tremendous news for the residents of the Pembina Valley region,” said Therrien. “The paved heliport will provide for smoother transport of critically ill and injured patients, particularly during our harsh Manitoba winters.”

For more information contact:  Shannon Samatte-Folkett, Executive Director Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation
T 204-331-8808 ext. 2